When I started hunting with my dad, I would pick random knives from his kit and struggle to do cutting, skinning, slicing, game processing etc. He noticed about it and recommend me that I try a drop point because that’s that right blade for these tasks. I tried one and since then, I’ve never looked back and even after 18 years, it is my preferred blade for these tasks.
If you aren’t familiar with this blade, continue reading as I’m about to share about my favorite blade type.
What is a Drop Point Blade?
The spine of this blade tapers towards the tip and it features a thick and curved belly for effortless slicing and cutting.
The spine usually starts sloping in the third of the blade however, in some cases, it starts in the last part of the blade to make it subtle. It is the most common utility blade shape and is favorite amongst hikers, outdoors, campers and hunters.
This is similar to a clip point blade but the major difference is, it’ll have a proper spine without any cut-outs.
What are Drop Point Blades Best Suited for?
1. Every Day Carry (EDC)
The fine tip of the blade lets you perform detailed work and you can use the belly for opening boxes, removing unwanted grass in your lawn, removing thread from the shirt, removing splinters, preparing food, slicing vegetables/ fruits etc.
2. Camping Tool
Having this knife for your camping would help you in multiple tasks like woodwork, chopping, cutting, and it can serve you as a survival tool.
Whenever I plan to go camping with my friends, I ensure it is packed in my backpack.
3. Hunting
It is the most common knife type for hunters including me because of its strong tip and thick belly. In a single motion, you can perform tasks like cutting, skinning, or chopping without much effort.
With this knife, I’ve processed games like Blacktail deer, sheep, Black Bear, Bison, wolf, etc.
I own multiple knives and some of my favorites are; Spyderco Native 5, Kershaw Covalent and Benchmade Mini Bugout.
4. Crafting
The strong tip of the blade lets you craft anything you want with accurate precision. Whether you want to create a Pop-out Swing Card or Clay Flower Ring, this knife could be pretty useful.
What makes a good drop point knife?
1. Steel
The most common steel used for a drop point knife are stainless steel. It has better corrision resistance and high durablity. It contains at least 10.5% chromium along with iron and carbon that helps the blade to resist rust.
Many of my drop point blades are made out of stainless steel and I’ll recommend the same If you are planning to use outdoors. However, the chromium content makes the sharpening a little harder and you’ll need to spend some extra time to do it.
The other option you have is carbon steel. It contains only carbon and iron and is prone to rusting. It has You have to take care of this more often than stainless because it gets the rust easily due to lack of chromium content but they are easy to sharpen.
However, carbon steel has better edge retention, hardness and capable of performing detailed work.
2. Handle Materials
The best materials for the handle are:
- G10.
- Micarta.
- Rubber.
- Woods like myrtle and stag.
Try to ignore a metal handle as it could be slippery in harsh weather. Always choose a handle which provides comfort over aesthetics for ease of use.
3. Brand
A drop point knife from a reliable brand can last for a long period due to their high-build quality. Although they might be slightly expensive, it is worth spending.
Some of the top brands I would recommend from my personal are:
- Spyderco.
- Kershaw.
- CRKT.
- Ka-Bar.
- Fallkniven.
- Buck.
- Benchmade.
- Kizer Knives.
- Chris Reeve.
- Civivi.
4. Pricing
Budget knives could be anywhere between $10-$50 but they lack durability due to poor steel and handle. For better durability, you need to spend around $100 and premium models may cost even more.
Is a drop point knife legal in the U.S?
There is no specific guideline that prohibits the use of this knife in the United States. I live in Alaska and there is no restriction here. However, it is always recommended to double-check the laws in your state.
Pros of Drop Point Blades
1. Control
The drop point knife’s blade provides the luxury of controlling it while performing tasks like detailed carving, skinning, slicing, etc. The tip’s location is more centralized, which is essential to perform these tasks for better accuracy and control.
2. Curved Belly
The curved spine design of the blade leads to a study tip, which enhances the overall strength of the blade. This structure is perfect for performing heavy-duty tasks like meat processing and batoning.
3. Low maintenance
You can sharpen this knife without any specialized tools. A honing rod or a whetstone would be enough. With low maintenance, you can use the knife for a longer period.
Cons of Drop Point Blades
1. Less Piercing Ability
This knife may not be powerful for piercing. If you are considering this knife for this purpose, I recommend you look for other options.
2. Bulky
Some models might be bulky for everyday carry, as it comes with a heavy belly.
Want to know more about the drop point? This video may help you.
FAQs
1. Why are drop point knives so popular?
It is popular for its functionality and reliability. You can use an all-rounder knife to perform everyday tasks as well as outdoor tasks.
2. Are drop point knives good for self-defense?
Yes. Due to the strong tip of this blade, it is suitable for self-defense.
3. Which is better, tanto or drop point?
A tanto excels at piercing and is an excellent choice for survivalists and campers. Drop-point is a versatile knife suitable for all kinds of tasks and suitable for detailed work.
4. Are drop point knives good for everyday carry EDC?
Yes. It is an excellent choice for EDC due their compact size, versatility and reliability to perform daily tasks.
5. Is a drop point knife a good all-purpose knife?
Absolutely, Yes. It is because the strong tip and the belly are suitable to perform most takes like piercing, cutting, slicing, skinning etc.
6. What is the difference between clip point and drop point blade?
The clip point features a sharp and narrow tipwhereas the drop point blade features a strong tip and large belly.
7. What is a drop point knife used for?
It can be used for a wide range of tasks such as EDC, bushcraft, hunting, camping, outdoor survival, etc.
Conclusion:
I own over dozens of drop point knives from top brands and honestly, they haven’t let me down whenever I go hunting with them. I’ve loved them because I find it pretty easy to handle and operate while hunting. If you think I’ve missed any important point, do let me know and I’ll add it here. Cheers!
